Suction operated floor tool



Oct. 26, 1965 F. K. MINERLEY 3,213,481

SUCTION OPERATED FLOOR TOOL Filed March 25, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 PEARL MINERLEY Administrcnrix of FREDERiCK K. MINERLEY INVENTOR.

Q7 Ma i,

ATTOR N EY 1965 F. K. MINERLEY 3,213,481

SUCTION OPERATED FLOOR TOOL Filed March 25, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 2O I 20a PEARL MiNERLEY Admini trutrix of 2%"1E: FREDERiCK K. MINERLEY l9 INVENTOR.

555.4 QWM ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1965 F. K. MINERLEY 3,213,481

SUCTION OPERATED FLOOR TOOL Filed March 25, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PEARL MINERLEY Adminisiruirix of FREDERiCK K. MINERLEY INVENTOR.

ATTORN EY opening slot.

United States Patent O 3,213,481 SUCTION OPERATED FLOOR TOOL Frederick K. Minerley, deceased, late of Evanston, Ill., by

Pearl Minerley, administratrix. Evanston, Ill, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to The Regina Corporation,

Rahway, N.J., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 801,910 6 Claims. (Cl. 15320) This invention relates to a self contained suction operated floor tool by which liquid, such as water, so called floor wax, emulsion and the like, may be discharged by gravity and spread over a floor surface for cleaning or waxing purposes and thereafter the water together with the dirt which it has picked up, or the excess wax, as the case may be, is drawn by suction and deposited into a receptacle forming part of the tool. This enables the cleaning and/ or waxing of linoleum, terrazzo, marble floors and the like easily, quickly and with a minimum amount of effort and with the added advantage of performing the job neatly and uniformly.

An object is to produce a new and improved tool of the above character which is self contained in that the motor-fan assembly for creating the suction is a part of the unit, and has the novel features of construction assembly and operation hereinafter described.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the suction operated floor tool;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the bell shaped head carrying the electric motor and suction fan, a fragment of the handle also being shown;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the cylindrical body from which the liquid is discharged onto the floor surface and into which the liquid is drawn from the floor surface by suction;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevation with parts broken away showing the bottom portion of the cylindrical body and in particular the valve means for discharging liquid from the container body onto the floor surface;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view substantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the toggle catch for holding the bell shaped upper head to the cylindrical body;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation of the floor tool, some of the bristles being omitted to show associated parts;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the floor engaging tool substantially on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view substantially on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a suction operated floor tool equipped with a floor engaging member 10 formed with a laterally elongate head 11 having a tubular inner end or nozzle 12. The head and nozzle are hollow and, as shown, a passage extending from end to end in the head as designated by the reference numeral 13, this terminating in a downwardly Surrounding the mouth of the head 11 and depending therefrom is a rubber sleeve 14 which has laterally spaced flexible lips 15 and 16, the outer lip 15 being shorter than the inner lip 16 and disposed in the space between these lips and projecting slightly beyond the free edge of the lip 16 is a row of bristles 18. As shown in FIGURE 9 the front and rear portions of the lips 16 are integrally joined by a series of transverse ice partitions 17 for effecting greater stability to the structure.

The tubular end portion 12 of the floor engaging meniber telescopes over a tube portion 19 projecting from the lower end of an integral tubular extension 20a on the bottom head 20. At the free end of the tubular end portion 12 is an integral collar 12a which abuts against the outer end of the extension 20a. Formed in the projecting tube portion 19 is a transverse slot 21 into which projects a pin 22 on the tubular portion 12. This enables the parts to have limited rotative movement relative to each other for a purpose hereinafter described.

On the collar 12a is a pair of diametrically opposed vertically extending cam lugs 23 which are engageable by rounded lugs 25 which are held in engagement with the collar 12a and are integral with the ends of a yoke 24 which straddles the tubular extension 20a. The yoke 24 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a bracket 26 depending from the under side of the bottom head 20 by a pin 27. Integral with the yoke 24 is a valve arm 28 having a valve disc 29 at its outer end which normally is held by a spring 30 seated against a rubber ring 31 carried by a flanged orifice 32. Thus the spring 30 normally holds the valve seated against the rubber ring 31 and at the same thne resiliently holds the rounded lugs 25 in engagement with the collar 12a. By turning the body of the tool which includes the bottom head 20, the rounded lugs 25 are caused to ride upon the cam lugs 23 and thereby rock the valve disc 29 away from the rubber ring 31 to allow liquid within the body to flow bygravity upon the floor surface. Liquid can be poured into the body by unscrewing a filler cap 33, which can be removed to empty the contents as desired. An elongate cylindrical sheet metal body 34 is secured at its lower end to the bottom head 20 by a crimp seam 35. Arranged axially within the body 34 is a tube 36 which is integral with and forms a continuation of the tube end 19, this tube being suitably secured as by welding to the tubular extension 20a. The upper end of the tube 36 terminates short of the upper end of the cylindrical body 34 and in this end portion is provided a pair of lateral openings 37. The end of the tube is closed by a cup-shaped fitting 38 suitably secured to the tube and fixed to the outer end of the fitting 38 is a flat sheet metal batfle disc 39, a rivet 40 securing the central portion of the disc to the botom end of the fitting 38. Formed at the outer edge of the disc 39 is a depending flange 41. Thus any liquid, which is sucked inside of the body 34 through the tube 36, is baflled by the baflle disc 39 and such liquid flows downwardly into a funnel 42, the upper end of which has an annular flange welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inner walls of the body 34. The small end of the funnel 42 is similarly flanged and secured therein is a depending tube 43 for directing the liquid to the lower portion of the body as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Closing the upper end of the cylindrical body 34 is a bell shaped head 44 which has a rolled rim 45 at the bottom edge. The head 44 fits over the upper end of the body 34 and is secured in place by a pair of toggle latches 46 carried by the body. These latches hold the bell shaped head 44 in telescoped engagement with the body, there being a rubber sealing ring 47 on the body which is seated in a pocket formed by a flange ring 48 welded to the inside of the body near the upper end thereof.

Within the upper head 44 is an electric motor 49 suitably se-cured in place by screws 50. Connected to the armature shaft is a suction producing fan 51 disposed directly above a baflle plate 52 which is formed with a central hole 53. The baffle plate is welded to the inside of the head 44 and is forced against the upper end of the 3 rubber sealing ring 47 by the latches 46 to produce a fluid tight structure.

Formed in the bell shaped head 44 in the region above the suction fan 51 is a plurality of discharge vents 54 enabling the discharge of air from the inside of the tool. The upper end of the head 44 is formed with a tubular extension 57 into which fits the lower end of a tubular handle 55', the same being secured in place by welding. As shown the upper end of the handle 55 is bent as indicated as 56 to enable it to be turned more readily for actuating the valve 29 above described. The end of the handle tube 55 is closed by a disc 58. Extending from the electric motor 49 is a lead cord 57 which passes through the handle and out through the closure disc 58, an attaching plug being attached in the usual manner at the free end of the cord. Mounted on the handle in the region of the bend 56 is an operating switch 60 suitably connected to the lead cord 57, thereby controlling the operation of the electric motor.

In operation a small amount of liquid is introduced to the inside of the tool body by first removing the screw cap 33i This liquid may be water having a small amount of detergent or may be liquid floor wax. Thereafter with the floorengaging member in contact with the floor surface the handle 55 is turned suflicientlly to open the valve 29 and permit the desired amount of liquid to flow by gravity to thefloor surface. This liquid may then be distributed or the floor surface may be scrubbed by to and fro movement of the floor engaging member to loosen up dirt or to spread the liquid over the surface to be cleaned or waxed. After this has been done, by actuation of the switch 60 the motor 49 is energized to drive the suction producing fan 51. The fan thus creates a partial vacuum within the cylindrical body 34 and causes the liquid together with the dirt mixed with it to be sucked to the inside of the body 34 and discharged therein through the port 37, such liquid flowing by gravity down the funnel 42 and the depending tube 43 to the body 34 and collecting in the lower head 20. The batfle 39 prevents the liquid from passing upwardly with the air to the motor and fan. Thus the air passes upwardly through the opening 53 and is discharged from the machine through the ports 54. The liquid in the reservoir formed by the cylindrical body 34 and bottom end cap may be reused as desired. When it is desired that fresh liquid be employed the dirty liquid can be poured from the tool by unscrewing the cap 33 and then introducing a fresh liquid. When waxing floors a very thin coating of wax emulsion is spread over the floor surface and the excess is sucked back into the tool thereby eflecting a substantial saving in the amount of emulsion used for this purpose.

Numerous changes and details in construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A suction operated floor tool comprising an upright tubular body having a closed lower end, a tube extending through the closed lower end of the body, said tube being closed at its upper end and having fluid discharge ports adjacent the closed end, a hollow floor engaging member outside of the body and mounted on and in open communication with the lower end of said tube, said floor member being slotted and provided with flexible lip means for floor engagement and surrounding the slot, baflle means at the upper end of the tube, annular wall means about the upper end of the tube secured peripherally to the body and extending downwardly for guiding liquid from the discharge ports to the lower end of the body, a valve-controlled outlet for the closed lower end of the body, means to mount the floor engaging member on the body for relative movement thereto, means for effecting opening and closing of said outlet in response to movement of the body relative to the floor-engaging member, a closure ht fld for the upper end of the body, an electric motor within said head, a suction fan within said head and connected to be driven by said motor, and air discharge ports in said head.

2. A suction operated floor tool comprising an upright tubular body having a closed lower end, a tube extending through the closed lower end of the body, said tube being closed at its upper end and having fluid discharge ports adjacent the closed end, a hollow floor engaging member outside of the body and mounted on and in open communication with the lower end of said tube, said floor member being slotted and provided with flexible lip means for floor engagement and surrounding the slot, baffle means at the upper end of the tube, annular wall means about the upper end of the tube secured to the body and extending downwardly for guiding liquid from the discharge ports to the lower end of the body, said means having a depending tube coaxial with said first tube and spaced therefrom, liquid dispensing valve means in the lower end portion of said body, a closure head for the upper end of the body, an electric motor within said head, a suction fan within said head and connected to be driven by said motor, and air discharge ports in said head.

3. A suction operated floor tool comprising an upright tubular body having a closed lower end, a tube extending through the closed lower end of the body, said tube being closed at its upper end and having fluid discharge ports adjacent the closed end, a hollow floor engaging member outside of the body and mounted on and in open communication with the lower end of said tube, said floor member being slotted and provided with flexible lip means for floor engagement and surrounding the slot, a valvecontrolled outlet for the closed lower end of the body, means to mount the floor-engaging member on said body for relative turning movements, means for opening and closing said outlet in response to turning movement of the body relative to the floor-engaging member, baflle means at the upper end of the tube, annular wall means about the upper end of the tube secured to the body and extending downwardly for guiding liquid from the discharge ports to the lower end of the body, a closure head for the upper end of the body, an electric motor within said head, a suction fan within said head and connected to be driven by said motor, and air discharge ports in said head.

4. The organization claimed in claim 3 in which the valve opening and closing means comprises cam means for positively actuating the valve to open position, and spring means urging the valve closed.

5. A suction-operated floor tool comprising an upright tubular body having a closed lower end, said body receiving a quantity of liquid in the lower end portion thereof, a tube extending through the closed lower end and terminating substantially above the liquid level therein, said tube being closed at its upper end and having fluid discharge ports adjacent the upper closed end, a baflle plate fixed to the upper end of said tube for militating against upward movement of fluid discharged from said ports, a funnel-like annular wall having liquid tight engagement with the inner wall of said tubular body in the region of said baffle plate and having its smaller lower end surrounding and spaced from said tube, a depending tube fixed to the lower end of said funnel-like wall coaxial with and spaced from said first tube and terminating a substantial distance above said closed lower end of the tubular body, liquid dispensing valve means in the lower end portion of the body, a hollow floor engaging member outside of the tubular body and mounted on and in open communication with the lower end of said tube, said floor member being slotted and provided with flexible floor engaging means surrounding the slot, a closure head for the upper end of the tubular body, an electric motor within said head, a suction fan within said head and connected to be driven by said motor, and air discharge ports in said head.

6. A suction operated floor tool comprising an upright tubular body having a closed lower end, a tube extending through the closed lower end of the body, the upper end of said tube having a fluid discharge port, a hollow floor engaging member outside of the body and mounted on and in open communication with the lower end of said tube, said floor engaging member having a suction opening and provided with cleaning means for floor engagement associated with said suction opening, baflie means associated with said discharge port and positioned to at least partially interrupt fluid passing therefrom, conical Wall means about the upper end of the tube carried by the body and extending downwardly for guiding liquid separated from fluid issuing from said discharge port to the lower end of the body, said conical means having a depending tube coaxial with said first tube and at least partially spaced therefrom, liquid dispensing valve means in the lower end portion of said body, a closure head for the upper end of the body, and suction means associated with said closure for drawing fluid through said floor engaging member and first tube into said tubular body.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 69,931 10/67 Pearsall 183-103 1,021,010 3/12 Spencer 15-399 1,328,642 1/20 Xardell 18396 X 1,690,472 11/28 Breton 15320 2,241,776 5/41 Dahl 15-398 2,346,339 4/44 Vose 15-350 X 2,551,220 5/51 Ploner 15-138 2,693,000 11/54 Minerley '15320 2,763,886 9/56 Brown et al l5'321 2,822,061 2/58 Pettit et a1 15-321 X ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. S. JAMES, CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiners. 

6. A SUCTION OPERATED FLOOR TOOL COMPRISING AN UPRIGHT TUBULAR BODY HAVING A CLOSED LOWER END, A TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH THE CLOSED LOWER END OF THE BODY, THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBE HAVING A FLUID DISCHARGE PORT, A HOLLOW FLOOR ENGAGING MEMBER OUTSIDE OF THE BODY AND MOUNTED ON AND IN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBE, SAID FLOOR ENGAGING MEMBER HAVING A SUCTION OPENING AND PROVIDED WITH CLEANING MEANS FOR FLOOR ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SUCTION OPENING, BAFFLE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DISCHARGE PORT AND POSITIONED TO AT LEAST PARTIALLY INTERRUPT FLUID PASSING THEREFROM, CONICAL WALL MEANS ABOUT THE UPPER END OF THE TUBE CARRIED BY THE BODY AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FOR GUIDING LIQUID SEPARATED FROM FLUID ISSUING FROM SAID DISCHARGE PORT TO THE LOWER END OF THE BODY, SAID CONICAL MEANS HAVING A DEPENDING TUBE COAXIAL WITH SAID FIRST TUBE AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY SPACED THEREFROM, LIQUID DISPENSING VALVE MEANS IN THE LOWER END PORTION OF SAID BODY, A CLOSURE HEAD FOR THE UPPER END OF THE BODY, AND SUCTION MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CLOSURE FOR DRAWING FLUID THROUGH SAID FLOOR ENGAGING MEMBER AND FIRST TUBE INTO SAID TUBULAR BODY. 